Artificial limb



` lApril 27, 1937- L. H. BARGHAUSEN 2,078,594

ARTIFICIAL LIMB Filed Aug. 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l Il'ln mlulllllll INVENTOR. ou/s H. ar'ghausen MI ATTORNEYv April 27, 1937. L. H. BARGHAUSEN ARTIFICIAL LIME 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 File@ Aug. 26, v1935 TORNEY INVENTOR. [o0/'s ar /zczasen Patented Apr. 27, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

The invention relates generally to artificial limbs of the hip control type in which the limb is supported upon and controlled by the hips of the wearer, and primarily seeks to provide certain new and useful improvements in the equipment by which the limb is supported and controlled.

In artificial limbs of the type stated the articulated shank and thigh sections of the limb are supported upon thel anatomy of a wearer through the medium of a belt which encircles the hips and which includes a rigid section shaped to snugly nt the region overlying the ilium below the crest thereof and above the great trochanter and extending slightly beyond the ilium anteriorlyv and around to a point adjacent the back center posteriolrly. There is provided a rigid pivotal connection between the rigid belt section and the thigh section, and a control strap is connected with the shank section and anteriorly and posteriorly with the belt for aiding in the control of the walking function. It has been found in practice that muscular action incident to use and control of the articial member, in some cases, causes excessive iiexure and breakage of many rigid belt sections, occasioning inconvenience and expense to both manufacturer and wearer. It is to the relief of this condition that my inventive efforts have been addressed.

In its more detailed nature, therefore, my invention seeks to provide a novel limb support and control equipment embodying a belt including a rigid section of the character stated which is composed of hinged sections so related and supported by the belt that they conform fully to the needs of rigidity and body conforming pressure application but are also capable of adapting themselves to muscular movements without any strain inducive to breakage.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel adjustable control strap connection with the belt at a point at which the rigid belt sections are hingedly connected.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a novel relation of rigid belt section and the arm by which it is pivotally connected with the thigh section of the limb, by which a wearer is afforded a greater sense of security and control than has lheretofore been enjoyed.

Other objects willin part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment of the aforesaid objects and ends, the invention still further resides in the novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described in the following detailed description, then be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a front elevation illustrating the invention in use.

Figure 2 is a plan View of my improved belt.

Figure 3 is a detail vertical cross section taken on the line 3 3 on Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevation.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the rigid belt section per se.

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the rigid belt section per se.

Figure 7 is a detail vertical cross section of the rigid belt section taken at the position of the hinge axis.

Figure 8 is an edge view of the pivot connection between the rigid belt section and the thigh section.

Figure 9 is a face view of the rigid belt section backing pad.

In the drawings in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all of the iigures, 5 designates the thigh section, 6 the shank section and I the foot of an articial limb, said thigh and shank sections being articulated by a suitable knee joint generally designated 8.

The limb upon which I have disclosed my invention includes the customary knee check generally designated 9, and a crank roller I disposed anteriorly of the knee bolt and serving in a manner well known in controlling movement of the shank section during walking.

In the practical development of my invention I employ a hip belt, generally designated II, which snugly encircles the hips of a wearer just below the iliac crest as shown in Figure l. The belt is suitably padded in order to insure the maximum of comfort possible and includes the buckle and strap equipment I?. to facilitate application and adjustment thereof.

My improved hip plate, generally designated I3, may be constructed of any Suitable rigid, light weight material, such as Dow metal, aluminum or other metal alloys, wood or the like, and includes an anterior portion I4 and a posterior portion I hinged together by a substantially vertically disposed hinge It. The plate sections I4 and I5 are shaped conjointly to snugly iit the region overlying the ilium below the crest thereof and above the great trochanter, the section I4 extending anteriorly slightly beyond the ilium, and the section I5 extending posteriorly around to a point adjacent the back center.

1, 2, 5, and 6.

In the manufacture of my belt I preferably employ a wide non-elastic band I1 and a nar- 5 rower band I8 of like material sewed together and gusseted or otherwise shaped to fit the hips of the prospective wearer. To the foundation band thus formed the hip plate I3 is riveted or otherwise secured as indicated at I9. See Figl ures 3 and 6. A pad 20 of soft material such as sponge rubber, shaped to conform to the outline of the plate I3, is secured to the foundation band See Figures in position to underlie the plate and overcome Ihe bel't isr all tendency to irritate or chafe. l5 completed by applying to the foundation band,

the plate and the pad a soit leather covering 2i as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The hip plate I3 is so shaped and mounted that it lies on a general incline upward an- 20 teriorly-posteriorly with its upper edge conforming substantially with and positioned just below the iliac crest. The hinge connection I6 of the sections I4 and I5 includes a tapered hinge pintle or screw bolt 22 which passes through a ta- 25 per-bored brass bushing 23 in one of the seotions, the lower end of the pintle being threaded to receive the securing nut 24. By this equipment wear in the hinge joint can be compensated for and noise eliminated. y 00 A limb support arm 25 is rigidly secured as at 26 to the plate section I4 and depends from the plate at a slight downward-back or anterior-posterior angle as indicated in Figures 4 and 6. At its lower end the arm 25 is pivotally connected 35 at 21 with the plate 28 secured to the thigh section 5. By this means the thigh section and the belt plate are connected by a rigid pivot as indicated in Figures 1, 4, 6, and 8, the pivot 21 being definitely placed at a point in the general "$0 location of, but spaced a slight distance anteriorly of, the great trochanter.

An elastic strap 29 is secured to and depends from the belt adjacent the anterior end of plate I3, and a similar strap 30 is connected posteriorly 45 to the belt through the medium of an adjustable lace connection 3| preferably centered on the hinge connection I6. A non-elastic strap 32 is connected at one end to the strap 30 and has the other end passed through a posterior aperture 50 33 in the thigh section into said thigh section and under the crank roller Ill, and then out through another or anterior aperture 33 and adjustably connected at 34 with the strap 29.

Properly adjusted, the strap equipment 29, 30,

' 55 32 cooperates with my improved belt structure and the fixed pivot 21 in definitely and securely locking the limb upon the stump of a wearer providing maximum comfort and walking eiciency and insuring against slippage or falling 0 away of socket from stump during any postures incident to use of the limb.

The novel hinged construction of the belt plate eliminates all breaking strains without impairing the desired rigid contact pressure applica- 65 tion and support, and the novel specific shape and positioning of the plate gives to the wearer a greater sense of support, control and security than has heretofore been enjoyed.

70 From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it is thought that the novel details of construction, the manner of use and the advantages of the invention will be readily understood by those 75 skilled in the art to which it relates.

rer and I claimzy 1. In an articial leg, the combination of articulated thigh and shank sections, a support and control belt for encircling the hips of a wearer and including a rigid section comprising hingedly connected portions movable relatively to conform to muscular movement, and a rigid pivotal connection between the rigid section and the thigh section.

2. In an artificial leg, the combination of articulated thigh and shank sections, a support and control belt for encircling the hips'of a wearincluding a rigid section comprising hingedly connected portions movable relatively to conform to muscular movement, a rigid pivotal connection between the rigid section and the thigh section, and a shank section control strap connected with said shank section and posteriorly and anteriorly to the belt, said posterior connection being disposed adjacent the hinge connection ofV portions of said rigid section.

3. In an artificial leg,`the combination of articulated thigh and shank sections, a support and control belt for encircling the hips of a wearer and including a rigid section composed of two parts connected by a substantially vertically disposed hinge, and means for suspending the thigh section from the rigid section.

4. In an artificial leg, the combination of articulated thigh and shank sections, a support and control belt for encircling the hips of 'a wearer and including a rigid section composed of two parts connected by a substantially vertically disposed hinge, a pivotal connection between the rigid section and the thigh section, and a shank section control strap connected with said shank section and posteriorly and anteriorly to the belt, said posterior connection being adjustably secured to the belt at the location of said hinge.

5. An artificial limb supporting and controlling belt comprising a flexible body encircling band, a rigid section secured to the band composed of individual portions connected by substantially vertically disposed hinge connecting means. an arm rigidly secured to and depending from one said portion, and means for pivotally connecting said arm with an artificial limb thigh section.

6. An artificial limb supporting and controlling belt comprising a exible body encircling band, a rigid section secured to the band composed of individual anterior and posterior portions connected by substantially vertically disposed hinge connected means, an arm rigidly secured to and depending from one said portion, means for pivotally connecting said arm with an artificial limb thigh section, and a control strap depending in aloop from the band and having its ends secured to the band one adjacent to the anterior portion of the rigid section and the other adjacent the hinge connecting means.

'1. An artificial limb supporting and controlling belt comprising a ilexible body encircling band, a rigid section secured to the band composed of individual anterior and posterior portions connected by substantially vertically disposed hinge connecting means, an arm rigidly secured to and depending from one said portion, means for pivotally connecting said arm with an artificial limb thigh section, and a control strap depending in a loop from the band and having itsends secured to the band one adjacent to the anterior portion of the rigid section and the other through.

the medium of an adjustable lacing to a point adjacent the hinge connecting means.

8. An articial limb supporting and controlling belt comprising a exible body encircling band, 5 a rigid section secured to the band composed of individual portions connected by substantially vertically disposed hinge connecting means, an arm rigidly secured to and depending from one said portion, a pad shaped to conform to the rigid section and underlying the same, a soft covering encasing the band and the pad and the rigid section, and means for pivotally connecting said arm With an articial limb thigh section.

9. An articial limb supporting and controlling belt comprising aflexible body encircling band, a

rigid section secured to the band composed of individual anterior and posterior portions connected by substantially vertically disposed hinge connecting means, an arm rigidly secured to and depending from one said portion, a pad shaped to conform to the rigid section and underlying the same, a soft covering encasing the band and the pad and the rigid section, means for pivotally connecting said arm with an artificial limb thigh section, a control strap depending in a loop from the band and having one end secured to the covering adjacent to the anterior portion of the rigid section and its other end equipped with a plurality of spaced eyelets, a row of spaced eyelets on said covering centered at the hinge connecting means, and a lacing for adjustably connecting said eyelet equipped strap end to the row of eyelets on said covering.

10. A rigid hip plate composed of two sections joined by a substantially vertically disposed hinge, an arm rigidly secured to and depending from one said section, and means for pivotally connecting said section with an artificial limb thigh section.

11. A rigid hip plate composed of two sections V joined by a substantially vertically disposed hinge,

said hinge including a tapered hinge pintle and a tapered receiving bore in the ends of the sections which are hingedly connected to provide compensation for wear, an arm rigidly secured to and depending from one said section, and means for pivotally connecting said section with an articial limb thigh section.

12. A rigid hip plate composed of two anterior and posterior sections joined by a substantially vertically disposed hinge, and an arm rigidly secured to and depending from the anterior section intermediate the ends thereof.

LOUIS H. BARGHAUSEN. 

